The Italian admits he is bemused his forwards have not proved more prolific this season and said there is no guarantee who will be a consistent scorer next year.

But he has admitted his interest in signing Napoli top scorer Edinson Cavani, is also an admirer of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and is expected to target an attacker in the summer transfer window.

“We can’t know which player can score 25 goals next year,” Mancini told British national newspapers. “There are some years that are difficult when you don’t score enough goals to win the Premier League.

“Last year we scored I think 20 more goals by this stage and we are missing 20 and that is too many. But to score another 10-12 goals it would have been enough to fight for the title.”

City’s four main forwards have only contributed 35 league goals this season. Edin Dzeko, with 12, has led the way, with Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez managing 11 apiece and Mario Balotelli only chipping in with one before his January move to AC Milan.

Mancini added: “I think we have good players, we were unlucky this year probably. Now it is important we win the FA Cup and after we have time to buy to improve our team.”